Awkward

Mar 31, 2012 Dea Sauva rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-debut-novels-and-authors, chick-lit, favorites, read-in-2012, romance, young-adult, ya-contemporary, coke-through-the-nose-funny

4.5/5

This is the most adorable book I’ve read in a while! It is a quick and fun and hilarious read that deals with coming out of your own shell and learning how to trust again. Mackenzie, having been famous for her video on YouTube where she knocked out a jock and attempted to do CPR, suddenly faces a life of a Hollywood celebrity over the weekend. She’s been chased by paparazzi and getting the perks of being famous like free designer clothes and backstage passes to her most favorite band’s con...more

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Oct 14, 2012 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, for-review, contemporary

Often, I think I am an awkward person, but you guys, I am FULL of social grace compared to Mackenzie, main character of Awkward by Marni Bates. Yo, Awkward is just what the doctor ordered. You see, sometimes after a stressful day at work, I want a light Meg Cabot-esque contemporary read with compelling characters. Awkward by Marni Bates was the perfect escape and had me grinning pretty hard.

Read the rest of my review here

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Aug 18, 2012 Mandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

This book is actually really cute!

I've been neglecting my YA fiction and this was a really great way to get back into it. Awkward is the story of Mackenzie Wellesley, the queen of awkward. When one of her classmates manages to catch one of her blunders on video, it instantly goes viral and her life changes forever as she goes from invisible, to celebrity.

Don't get me wrong, it has its cliche moments, the big awkward fiasco the whole book is based around is kind of outlandishly ridiculous; ther...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Nina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Awkwardby Marni Bates was a fun and light read. I sometimes find myself having to alternate between more intense and series books with lighter reads otherwise I'd be a nervous wreck. I worry about my characters too much sometimes. Mackenzie is used to flying under the radar and spending her time studying for her multiple AP classes. Usually, she rambles when she's nervous and finds herself in awkward situations. During one of her most embarrassing moments in public, some mystery person decided t...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Abegail Topado rated it 4 of 5 stars

AWKWARD it is.
4.5 stars. Why? Because:

1. It's very different. The story alters from different perspectives.

2.It's unpredictable and a little predictable at the same time. There were times that I thought a certain something would happen-but didn't. And the thing about Logan, I had a hint that he would be the one ending up with Mackenzie and had been sure about it when the whole stroll-at-the-mall-to-hide-from-paparazzi thing happened.

3.It has a different edge(to me) when first person is used. I m...more

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May 17, 2012 K rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

This one falls into the Fun Read category.

Mackenzie introduces herself as an Invisible. She’s awkward and geeky and thankfully, invisible is right where she wants to be. Of course, it’s de rigueur that she has a fantasyland crush on a Notable, and Patrick happens to be marginally responsible for her infamy. She’s caught in a weird power play conversation with Logan, a Notable whose parents pay her very well to tutor, and his Mean Girl ex when Patrick enters her line of sight. At first, she commi...more This one falls into the Fun Read category.

Mackenzie introduces herself as an Invisible. She’s awkward and geeky and thankfully, invisible is right where she wants to be. Of course, it’s de rigueur that she has a fantasyland crush on a Notable, and Patrick happens to be marginally responsible for her infamy. She’s caught in a weird power play conversation with Logan, a Notable whose parents pay her very well to tutor, and his Mean Girl ex when Patrick enters her line of sight. At first, she commits a minor social faux pas. Possibly embarrassing but not huge. She fully displays her insanity when she overreacts—not about her social standing or who might be watching, but because she panics about the wellbeing of the other guy and loses her sh*t. This scene, and her unabashed terror, is laugh out loud gold. It all gets captured and uploaded to YouTube by the next morning. Pretty soon, she’s David After the Dentist.

It’s bad enough that the kids at school are taunting her in the halls, but all the talk shows know who Mackenzie Wellesley is. Local media catches her off guard and do more to fan the flames. All that brouhaha circles back and suddenly the Notables want her around. She’s suspicious at first but then pleasantly surprised when it turns out that Logan is a nice guy and not evil by association. Some of these new people in her life are pretty genuine and even her Invisible best friends Jane and Corey can’t find fault in them. She expects catty but gets friendly instead. Her infamy is fast and furious and Mackenzie barely has time to react.

Sure, it seems both trope-y and wildly improbable. But this story shows Mackenzie that everyone’s not always as they seem (even herself) and stopped that trope business in its tracks. I love actual characters vs caricatures and I loved when Mackenzie ate a little crow and stopped seeing only caricatures. I genuinely liked these people. It stills seems wildly improbable, but what do I know of notoriety? Cute, fun, and sincere, it was a great ride. I’m a fan.(less)

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May 17, 2012 Kayla rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, realistic-fiction, contemporary

I don't know if I like this book as much as I did because I read a really bad book before this one but whatever. Who cares? I loved it! *-*

Awkward was one of the best comedy books I've read so far (LOL I don't think I've read any, anyways) it had me laughing from the first chapter until the end. I had never felt so much second hand embarrassment in my life, thanks Mackenzie.

Our main character, Mackenzie, was adorable in my opinion. :3 Selfless, funny, smart and socially awkward penguin has not...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Dawn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: interesting-ya

This was the first time I picked up this author's work and I was thoroughly engrossed in Awkward. It is more than a girl finding surprise fame on the internet but one that also touches on self-esteem, humor and perception of one’s self. The author does a nice job in creating a likable main character in Mackenzie and I thoroughly enjoyed her wit, humor and quips. They added something special to the book. I lost count at the many times Mackenzie said the wrong thing and thought “Egad, I have done...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Shannon Kitchens rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. Really surprised.

Contemporary YA is not a genre I particularly like to read. But, the concept plus a good review on one of the blogs I follow, had me intrigued. So, I saw we were getting it at my library, and I put it on hold.

Awkward will not be a timeless classic. There's a lot of pop culture references, and sometimes, the narration almost falls out of first person. That being said, I didn't mind when it did so.

Even so, I really enjoyed the book....more

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Mar 06, 2012 Stephanier76 rated it 5 of 5 stars

http://freak-ya-tastic.blogspot.com/2...

This novel will have a companion book with Jane story. She is Mackenzie best friend.

I have one thing to say: you should buy this book!

Who has already felt awkward with people? Who has already babbled things nobody really cared just to feel a little more secure? Seriously, who is awkward from time to time? I'm not ashamed to say that I can be quite awkward. So, how could you not like Mackenzie and her crazy life?

Marni Bates wrote a wonderful novel that is f...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Bonnie at A Backwards Story added it

Shelves: 2012, blog-tour, contemporary

Review first posted at A Backwards Story. Cover design analysis available exclusively on my blog as well as a Character Word Association Game with Logan coming March 21st!

If you're looking for a fun, refreshing contemporary YA, look no farther than AWKWARD. Readers will find themselves rooting for socially awkward high school student Mackenzie as she finds her most embarrassing moment broadcast on YouTube for the world to see, which puts her every klutzy moment from there on out in the spotlight...more Review first posted at A Backwards Story. Cover design analysis available exclusively on my blog as well as a Character Word Association Game with Logan coming March 21st!

If you're looking for a fun, refreshing contemporary YA, look no farther than AWKWARD. Readers will find themselves rooting for socially awkward high school student Mackenzie as she finds her most embarrassing moment broadcast on YouTube for the world to see, which puts her every klutzy moment from there on out in the spotlight. You'll wince, you'll laugh, you'll sympathize. Mari Bates creates a character with so much depth that you want to see her succeed.

The novel begins when high school Notable Chelsea beckons to Mackenzie, one of the Invisibles, in order to get some homework help. Mackenzie trips and falls on top of another Notable and knocks him out, then unsuccessfully attempts to revive him with CPR...and it's all caught on camera. Suddenly, celebrities are tweeting about the girl in the "hilarious video" and the country's biggest music sensation, ReadySet, has integrated the footage into the music video for their latest single. Paparazzi are hanging out at school waiting to badger MacKenzie and designers are sending her packages overflowing with clothing. Mackenzie is even invited to a Notable party and given backstage passes for a ReadySet concert. Yet she still struggles to remain an ordinary girl that blends in and doesn't stand out. She continues to tutor Logan, another Notable, who somehow manages to become her friend and helps her through her most embarrassing flubs. She's not really sure why a Notable would help her unless it's a trick, or why new, nice classmates will sit with her at lunch. She doesn't get why her crush of four-years suddenly seems interested. Is it because of her newfound notoriety? Could it be that people actually like her personality despite her tendency to babble in public? Mackenzie doesn't know, but throughout her journey, she's going to learn a lot about people--and about herself.

I love the character development in AWKWARD. Mackenzie feels so real. As a fellow klutz with some painful moments left behind, I completely sympathize with her. Additionally, I love that she has supportive friends and that her family cares so much about her. It's nice to see the way such a major event bonds Mackenzie and her brother in a way they never had before. Mackenzie grows so much as a person and her character really solidifies by the end of the book. I also loved Logan, the guy she tutored, and love how he went from being one-dimensional to having so much depth. I was really excited when I turned the last page and found that Bates is going to return to the world she's created in 2013 with the release of INVISIBLE, which centers around Mackenzie's best friend Jane. I feel like this companion novel will be in the manner that Stephanie Perkins uses in ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, and the upcoming ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER, where characters return in later books so you can see how they end up, but the book is centered around someone else. Bates is also releasing FAUXMANCE (Which might have been changed to DECKED WITH HOLLY) this October. This one seems to be in its own self-contained world, but from the sample at the back of the book, also features an awkward moment that leads to a bigger story. If you're looking for a new contemporary author, definitely check out Marni Bates, who's set to have many more books for us to love soon!

Other books mentioned in this review that have previously been reviewed at A Backwards Story are ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS and LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, both by Stephanie Perkins. Below, Julia Kagawa recommends this book to fans of Meg Cabot.(less)

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Feb 23, 2012 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

I killed him, I thought numbly. I killed him with my awkwardness

So the quote above pretty much sums up the book...Well not really but its one of many that make the book hilarious.

Mackenzie is a hardworking, spastic,quirky awkward girl whose life changes after a mishap with a football player. The horribly awkward scene gets put on youtube then life starts to change drastically or poor sweet awkward Mackenzie.She's a instant hit famous celebs are talking and tweeting about her and then a famous b...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Chrissy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, read-in-2012

When I found AWKWARD by Marni Bates in my library's e-book collection, I admit that I'd never heard of either the story or the author. But the cute cover drew me in without even reading the description, so I figured I may as well go ahead and give this little novel a try.

I'm not disappointed.

AWKWARD is the cute tale of a socially-inept nerd named Mackenzie who suddenly catapults into (short-lived) fame after an embarrassing moment goes viral on YouTube. Previously spending her time tutoring popu...more

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Jan 27, 2012 Nick rated it 5 of 5 stars

Read more of my reviews at Nick's Book Blog

After having read the summary for Awkward, I didn't really have huge expectations. I'll admit that the cover is what drew me to read this book. Doesn't it look totally cool ?
You know what ? This book was so perfect, I wanted to give it a big hug ! I loved it.
It wasn't deep or highly philosophical or anything. Instead, it was a cute book with a few themes that are common in YA.

Awkward follows the story of Mackenzie. She is what you can call the invisible...more Read more of my reviews at Nick's Book Blog

After having read the summary for Awkward, I didn't really have huge expectations. I'll admit that the cover is what drew me to read this book. Doesn't it look totally cool ?
You know what ? This book was so perfect, I wanted to give it a big hug ! I loved it.
It wasn't deep or highly philosophical or anything. Instead, it was a cute book with a few themes that are common in YA.

Awkward follows the story of Mackenzie. She is what you can call the invisible girl in her high school. On top of that, she's awkward. After her failed attempt at CPR on a guy at school is filmed and posted on Youtube , Mackenzie becomes an internet sensation and rockets to popularity. That girl is so likable and adorable. She was relate-able. I think Mackenzie is the kind of character that most people can connect with. I know I did. She is funny, caring and tries to stand up for herself even though she is awkward. Moreover, she doesn't let the popularity get to her too much and it's very interesting to see her wade through her moment of fame. At the end of the book, you realize how much Mackenzie has grown. I especially loved her interactions with her friends. Overall, Mackenzie was a great protagonist.

Logan is the guy Mackenzie tutors. He is also the most popular guy at school. He was down to earth, caring and sweet. Plus, he had issues that made him not so perfect as you would have thought. I think that Logan pretty much proves that not all popular guys are how they are usually depicted in teen movies.

Awkward has a solid set of secondary characters. They are all equally likable. I especially liked the interaction between Mackenzie and the band. I also like the fact that her brother and mother play an important part in this book.

The romance in this book progresses slightly. Although it was quite predictable, I found it cute. The relationship between Mackenzie and Logan starts from tutors then goes to friendship and then into dating.
Also, the book doesn't focus a too much on the romance. Logan and Mackenzie are like a different version of Etienne and Anna ! If you like romances where the characters fall in love really fast, then you probably won't like it.

Marni Bates is a great YA contemporary writer. Her writing style is smooth and fluid. It makes you want to read more and more. Also, she has a very funny voice. I think her writing style is really amazing since this is her first book and all. Plus, she's really young.
I know I'll be picking up her other books when they come out.

Overall, Awkward is a delightful and funny read. If you're looking for a book that is light, fluffy and quick read, then I recommend this book to you.
I haven't enjoyed a YA contemporary book this much ever since Lola and the Boy Next Door.
In fact, all YA book lovers SHOULD read this wonderful piece of work !(less)

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Jan 25, 2012 Majibookshelf Juhina & Farah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Awkward was the perfect read during my stressful days of exams. It was funny, with a very likable protagonist and a plot that I highly enjoyed. Marni Bates is definitely an author I will follow for any new contemporary YA releases.
The story revolves around Mackenzie, and there's no other way of saying it but she's a total klutz. She is part of the Non-Notables crowd, meaning the invisibles at high school, and the last thing she wanted was to have the spotlight on her. That's what happened when...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-copy, young-adult, for_fun

Awkward is a teen story in which almost all of us can relate. That is, unless you happen to be one to the "notables" who always seem to have things together: looks, popularity, money etc. But for the rest of us, Mackenzie Wellesley is completely relatable. She is a little too smart, a lot too clumsy, and hasn't quite mastered her social skills. For her, not getting any attention is way better than getting too much.

Her plans of staying invisible, with her two best friends, don't work out. After a...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Stacey Pagan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mackenzie Wellesley, an “Invisible,” and her two best friends have kept to themselves over the years, not wanting to stir trouble with the “Notables.” Mackenzie is fine with her life, a studious bookworm that stays out of the limelight because of her bumbling awkward klutziness and blabber statistic nervous mouth. Remaining a wallflower presence has been Mackenzie’s roll in life, outside of earning money for a MacBook for her future college education.

Yet, her wallflower invisible status is chan...more
Mackenzie Wellesley, an “Invisible,” and her two best friends have kept to themselves over the years, not wanting to stir trouble with the “Notables.” Mackenzie is fine with her life, a studious bookworm that stays out of the limelight because of her bumbling awkward klutziness and blabber statistic nervous mouth. Remaining a wallflower presence has been Mackenzie’s roll in life, outside of earning money for a MacBook for her future college education.

Yet, her wallflower invisible status is changed in a matter of hours when she accidentally knocks over a Notable star football player with her ungodly heavy bookbag. “All I could think was, Oh my god! I have to DO something” is the thought that automatically ran through her head, causing her life to transform! Mackenzie proceeds to give the boy unnecessary and unwanted CPR. While attempting to give the boy CPR she is screaming “AM I KILILNG HIM RIGHT NOW? Can SOMEONE make sure I’M NOT KILLING HIM RIGHT NOW?!?” and another student is recording her and the bumbling awkwardness the proceeds.

Due to the video that is recorded and posted on YouTube, Mackenzie’s life is turned into a three ring circus. Her younger brother is distraught, thinking she is going to ruin his social life chances, the paparazzi hound her for days on end, the TV talk show hosts covet her on their shows, and poor Mackenzie is unsure how to deal with all the change. She tries to continue her Invisible status, yet it is impossible. After dealing with paparazzi, her best friends help her realize her life has changed!

Mackenzie follows the typical teenagers ‘rights of passage’ by attending a concert (where she ends up on stage singing and backstage with the band and her two best friends), she attends a high school keg fest, becomes ungodly drunk, yet during all this, the Notable she has been tutoring has been there for her, helping her along the way. However, Mackenzie is still wearing blinders, as she doesn’t see how Logan cares for her. She still feels that it is not possible for a Notable to really care for an Invisible.

This novel is full of quirky teenage drama that we have all lived through, and survived. You will find yourself laughing at how awkward Mackenzie is in her little cocoon, but you also witness her blossom into a beautiful butterfly! Kudos to Bates for producing an awesome novel that teens are bound to enjoy!
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Jan 08, 2012 Mari rated it 4 of 5 stars

One word: hilarious! I loved how insanely awkward Mackenzie is. I loved how Jane, Corey and Mack's brother Dylan were so protective and loyal to her. And I love Logan, as in "can I have him for myself?" love him. Awkward is chock-full of pop-culture references and for the most part, it works. Of course, the downside to this is it makes the story feel dated. A good example would be that of a celebrity mentioning his wife, when everyone knows (well, everyone who has read Hollywood breaking news in...more

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Dec 28, 2011 Amy Jacobs rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

I didn't have high expectations for this book when I first received it. To me the cover was a little cheesy and childish. Yet after you start reading this book, you find yourself sucked into the teen drama and at times find yourself laughing out loud at the scenario that is unfolding on the pages.

Mackenzie has always considered herself an invisible among her high school population. She isn't a part of the Notables who happen to be the rich and popular kids. Then everything changes once something...more

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Dec 17, 2011 Amy Lignor rated it 5 of 5 stars

This novel really shows you the power of Youtube and all those other technological programs and devices we all seem to love so much. In fact, it will remind you of all those news programs that talk about how the government watches our every move each and every day.

Mackenzie Wellesley was one of those quiet, brilliant nerds who liked to stay far away from the spotlight. In fact, she has named her ‘side’ the Invisibles, and spends a great deal of time avoiding the ‘Notables,’ so she doesn’t have t...more
This novel really shows you the power of Youtube and all those other technological programs and devices we all seem to love so much. In fact, it will remind you of all those news programs that talk about how the government watches our every move each and every day.

Mackenzie Wellesley was one of those quiet, brilliant nerds who liked to stay far away from the spotlight. In fact, she has named her ‘side’ the Invisibles, and spends a great deal of time avoiding the ‘Notables,’ so she doesn’t have to deal with the teasing or the snooty girls who are a real pain-in-the-butt. The only contact she even has with a ‘Notable’ is when she works with Logan Beckett. He is one of the extremely hot guys in the super-cool crowd who she tutors in history so that he can keep his grades up. Mackenzie not only does this so that she’s more or less off-limits by the ‘Notables’ teasing, but she is also saving up for a Macbook that she really wants.
Besides, Logan isn’t the guy she dotes on or dreams about - that honor is saved for Patrick Bradford who, in Mackenzie’s eyes, is simply dreamy.

One day, however, her calm, quiet life is thrown into a tailspin. Hitting one of the football players with her seriously heavy backpack by mistake, the player hits the cement. Without thinking, Mackenzie begins to go into hysterics, screaming about CPR and whether or not the boy is dead. Unfortunately, this extremely comic episode is filmed by someone’s cell, and by the next morning Mackenzie’s moment of sheer embarrassment has more hits on Youtube than Justin Bieber’s latest concert.

Mackenzie soon misses the invisible part of her life, as reporters take up residence on her lawn. Her younger brother is extremely angry at her for being the family embarrassment. The only ones standing up for Mackenzie are her best friends Jane and Corey, who want her to learn to dress better so that when the Late Night shows put up a video of her, at least she’ll look good.

Soon the video becomes part of a rock band’s song and life goes from just odd to utter nonsense. Logan is talking to her more and more, trying his best to help her through this situation. All of a sudden Mackenzie is on the ‘A’ list at school, even being invited to parties. But going from a nobody to a somebody overnight has just as many risks as it does rewards, and watching Mackenzie try to figure out her new life is absolutely hysterical.

Readers, you’re gonna’ love this one!

Until Next Time,
Amy

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Mar 29, 2012 Erica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-completely-contemp-challenge

You know those books that leave you with that goofy smile plastered on your face after you finish reading because you just loved the book so much? Awkward by Marni Bates was one of those books. The funny thing is is that Awkward is a book I think I may have passed over had it now been for the outstanding buzz from so many people who have opinions similar to my own.

The plot was so much fun. Everyone has felt awkward at some point in their life, and I know going through school I had more than my f...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Amanda (GoodChoiceReading) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was extremely surprised by Awkward. It sounded cute, but I will admit the cover made me a bit wary to read it. It looked like this story would be geared toward younger teens, more toward the middle grade age, and I was afraid I wouldn’t end up liking it for this reason. Lucky for me, that isn’t the case.

Awkward is the first book I’ve read in quite some time where I completely let go, and just enjoyed the story. I didn’t over-think things like I normally do, and it was heaps of fun. I read it i...more

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Feb 03, 2012 Avon Bernabe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Love love love this book!

The title really suits the book. Mackenzie is one hell of an awkward girl. But that won't be a hindrance dear. Because judging by what happened to her life, you might want to be an awkward too. Seriously, I won't mind. ;)

We all know that there are many YouTube sensations on the rise all over the world. And I liked how this book showed that in a way. Same, but not quite the same. That's why I loved this one. :)

I loved how it was able to make me laugh from the simple "remi...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Michelle (FabbityFabBookReviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-young-adult

This was a title I came across by total random browsing. And what a lucky accident it turned out to be!

If you are searching for something totally fun, contemporary, and zippy, look no further. This is a read packed with likable characters, out-of-this-world experiences, and on-the-mark pop culture references.

The story's protagonist and narrator, Mackenzie, thinks of herself as plain ol' awkward. She, much like Mia Thermopolis of The Princess Diaries, is seriously lacking self-confidence. But onl...more This was a title I came across by total random browsing. And what a lucky accident it turned out to be!

If you are searching for something totally fun, contemporary, and zippy, look no further. This is a read packed with likable characters, out-of-this-world experiences, and on-the-mark pop culture references.

The story's protagonist and narrator, Mackenzie, thinks of herself as plain ol' awkward. She, much like Mia Thermopolis of The Princess Diaries, is seriously lacking self-confidence. But only in certain areas of her life: like her less-than-sophisticated appearance, overall spazziness/clumsiness, and being shy around boys. Even though Mackenzie is a brainiac, a solid friend, and considerate person, she just can't get beyond her self-perceived freakness. Now, I totally loved Mackenzie as the narrator. Despite her unnecessary but pretty typical teen self-doubts, she is a really solid, witty and relatable female teen character.

When the fiasco involving her trying to save the life of a football player rockets to the top of YouTube, Mackenzie's life starts to go topsy-turvy. As you can gather from the book description, not all is cracked up to be for Mackenzie when she is thrust in the sudden and unwanted limelight. Here's where I think the author did an awesome job keeping the story and focus of the story on track. With Mackenzie being such a genuinely great and likable heroine, we root for her as things start looking up for her: when she starts making new friends, and when she gets noticed by a chart-topping rock band. And we also sympathize with her as her normal life gets smacked in the face with downsides of sudden infamy. I think the author did a really good job with the dialogue between the characters, fleshing out the main characters and keeping what could have been a rather predictable plot fresh and energetic.

I would definitely recommend this title for fans of Meg Cabot's contemporary titles, Gordan Korman's wacky humour, or Spoiled by the Fug Girls. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up. Fine holiday fun (thank you, Clueless). Looking forward to read more from Marni Bates! (less)

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Jan 23, 2012 Chantaal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, popcorn, contemporary

Review also posted at The Wandering Fangirl.

I was really lucky with high school. Lucky, because my class was only about 120 kids, and we all knew each other. Then I went to a high school in a different state for senior year in a class of about a thousand kids, and I got to see first hand what real cliques were like. When I went to that new high school I became an Invisible, as Mackenzie Wellesley describes in Awkward. I like to think I wasn't as bad as she was, at least, and I got along just fin...more Review also posted at The Wandering Fangirl.

I was really lucky with high school. Lucky, because my class was only about 120 kids, and we all knew each other. Then I went to a high school in a different state for senior year in a class of about a thousand kids, and I got to see first hand what real cliques were like. When I went to that new high school I became an Invisible, as Mackenzie Wellesley describes in Awkward. I like to think I wasn't as bad as she was, at least, and I got along just fine with the jocks or nerds or whomever when I had cause to talk to them. I was content being an invisible as long as people left me alone. So when I read a book like Awkward, I sort of get what the unpopular high school kids are going through, though I can usually only sympathize with them at best.

Awkward excelled at punching me in the face with what life would be like as a girl like Mackenzie, who was not only an invisible at her school, but totally...well, awkward.

I can't even deal with how much second hand embarrassment I got from Mackenzie as I read, but after the first few ordeals it actually began to be charming. It was just another part of Mackenzie as I got to know her, and I really began to love her. She's a fantastic character, and it's great to watch her evolution as a person as the novel goes on. It's especially great to see her pull up her big girl panties in the last third of the book and become the sort of girl she wants to be. She's still a babbly, awkward mess, but she's taken control of her life and her choices, and it's awesome to watch.

The romance was actually quite adorable, and I loved Logan. Mackenzie's friends were great (loved the LGBT inclusion, yay!). And while I felt parts of the book were very self-indulgent (friends with rock stars who she records a song with, a whole segment of her on the Ellen DeGeneres show, etc) they didn't take away from my feelings on the book as a whole, which were positive. I read Awkward in one delightful two hour sitting, and I don't regret it one bit.

P.S. Awkward is not even a real word to me anymore after writing this review. Awkward awkward awkward awkward awkward. Such a strange sounding word. Awwwwwkwaaaaaard. (less)

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Jul 22, 2012 Kristal rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked his book up on a whim and decided to give it a go. It is about Mackenzie Wellesley who becomes known as the "Queen of Awkward" when a YouTube video of her basically beating a guy with CPR (in an attempt to help him) goes viral. It follows the life of a young, awkward teenage girl dealing with sudden fame, infamy and high school life as she tries to stay herself and figure out how to deal.

Mackenzie is a girl who likes to rely on no one - especially men of any sort after she caught her f...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Tara (Fiction Folio) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I think every single one of us has felt awkward at one point or another, whether in high school, at work, or anywhere in public. However, poor Mackenzie Wellesley takes the cake on the awkward front. That poor girl puts the awkward in socially awkward. It all starts when an embarrassing YouTube video goes viral and completely escalates from there.

You couldn't help but just feel bad for Mackenzie and all of her awkwardness, even though you are completely cracking up over her antics the entire sto...more

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Dec 19, 2011 Tigris Eden rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mackenzie Wellesley has spent her life avoiding the spotlight. At Smith High, she's the awkward junior people only notice when they need help with homework. Until she sends a burly football player flying with her massive backpack and makes a disastrous - not to mention unwelcome - attempt at CPR. Before the day is out, the whole fiasco explodes on YouTube. And then the strangest thing happens. Suddenly, Mackenzie is an Internet sensation, with four million hits and counting. Sucked into a whirlw...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book! I loved it so much that I want to squeeze the life out of it! Not only did I smile the whole way through the books but I fell in love with the writing and creation of the story. Was this a good book? Heck yes! I want to read it over and over again just to feel happy again!!

So why did I fall in love? Well unlike most books out there, this story of a girl is what I thought. I thought she would let everything get to her and do something stupid. But no. The author took me by surp...more I LOVED this book! I loved it so much that I want to squeeze the life out of it! Not only did I smile the whole way through the books but I fell in love with the writing and creation of the story. Was this a good book? Heck yes! I want to read it over and over again just to feel happy again!!

So why did I fall in love? Well unlike most books out there, this story of a girl is what I thought. I thought she would let everything get to her and do something stupid. But no. The author took me by surprise by keeping her down to earth. That made me happy. I loved that Mack didn't change friends, ignore old ones and change her clothes. She knew who she was from the very beginning and didn't let fame overcome her. Instead, she embrace it with great maturity in everything that she did.

The plot line of this book is so cute! It is so easy to fall under the writing spell of Ms. Bates. She creates a down to earth girl who knows where she is going into a girl who is just like any other teenager famous by a Youtube video. Let me say, that I adore the character Mackenzie. She is like every teenage senior out there. Works hard, studies hard, and is doing everything she can to get into the college of her dreams. Yes she is a teen and makes mistakes. I like that the author didn't go overboard with teenage mistakes. She made everything fit with Mackenzie.

The love interest of this book is sooo good! I adored how the pieces all came together in the end. I admit that I didn't like Logan in the beginning, but with Ms. Bates giving a great point of view, I learn to like Logan. Their love isn't one created overnight, but one created on front of the readers eyes growing so much.

Have you every felt invisible? I know I have.Do me a favor and read this book. You will see that you are not alone in what you feel. That there is hope and love. I especially loved the dedication in the book. It is so true. And I only wish that I had this book to read when I was in high school. It would of made things a lot easier to understand.

*drinking/cursing*(less)

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Mar 06, 2012 Michaela rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own-a-copy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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title link	preview: Awkward
avg rating	preview: Awkward Goodreads rating: 4.00 (1092 ratings)
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